Steve McMANAMAN has sympathy for Sir Alex Ferguson and says Liverpool would never sell their best player to arch-rivals Manchester United.

Ferguson is angry that Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is pursuing his interest in Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze - even though United say he is not for sale. Heinze, 29, has called in lawyers to clinch a move to Anfield as he believes he has a letter saying he can leave United for #6.8million.

But ex-Anfield star McManaman feels the whole thing has become a farce and that Liverpool would do everything in their power to stop the Red Devils signing one of their players. He said: "As soon as someone says the lawyers are involved it takes it to another level.

"I understand where Fergie's coming from, I wouldn't want to strengthen a rival. But you can see why Liverpool want to buy such a good, tough-tackling defender."